MUSKEGON, MI -- Three Fruitport Township home invasion cases against Anthony Lavance Franklin have been dropped because his co-defendant refused to testify against him.

But the 24-year-old Muskegon Heights parolee isn't free to go.

Franklin continues to be lodged at the Muskegon County Jail on a parole hold and while a related charge of receiving and concealing stolen property more than $1,000 is pending, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brett Gardner said Tuesday. Future reinstatement of the home invasion charges also may still be possible, he said.

On Monday, the prosecutor's office dropped three cases of second-degree home invasion that had been filed against Franklin stemming from June break-ins on Pontaluna and Walker roads in Fruitport Township. Franklin was charged as a fourth-time habitual offender.

"The basis of the police request for their (arrest) warrant was the testimony of a co-defendant," Gardner said. "That testimony was what tied him to the actual home invasions. That witness is now refusing to testify.

"The investigation is continuing in an effort to issue warrants in the future for his involvement in the home invasions," Gardner said. "We have issued receiving and concealing stolen property charges, which can be established independent of this witness. And that alone, with the parole hold, will ensure that Franklin is not back out on the streets."

Tamero Morris

The co-defendant, 35-year-old Tamero Lasha Morris of Muskegon Heights, still faces trial in three cases of home invasion from the same Fruitport Township break-ins Franklin had been charged with. Morris is charged as a third-time habitual offender, which could double her maximum sentence if convicted to 30 years from the usual 15-year maximum.

Gardner said a new case of first-degree home invasion also will be filed against Morris. That's a 20-year felony, which could double to 40 years if she's convicted as a third-time habitual offender.

The two were arrested June 24 after a joint police investigation led police to them. Cooperating in the investigation were police from the Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, Spring Lake and Fruitport Township police departments.